Relationships Restored

Meditations on Second Corinthians

May 5, 2023

Relationships Restored

I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 7:16

Read: 2 Corinthians 7:11-16

Paul concludes this portion of his letter by expressing his belief that the relationship between the Corinthian church and Paul had been restored. The two-part strain in their relationship had been very deep.

The first part of the strain came from pressures from people outside of the church encouraging the church to reclaim their adherence to the local customs and mores. The New Testament is very clear that the followers of Christ are called to a new way of living, a way that is very counter-cultural. Many of the congregation’s friends and neighbors were uncomfortable with the sexual and ethical standards the Christians were following; they wanted them to resume the prevailing culture’s normal way of life.

The second part of the strain came when some within the congregation relaxed their moral standards and engaged in sinful acts. The church leaders were aware of this and chose not to confront the church members. Paul interceded and strongly urged the leaders to fulfill their responsibility and implement church discipline.

Eventually, the church leaders followed Paul’s advice and reaffirmed their commitment to Christian ethics. Order was restored in the church and the relationship with Paul was also restored.

My Takeaway: The situation in the Corinthian church was foretold by Jesus when he said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10a NRSV) The thief, that is Satan, is still working to destroy churches and the lives of Christians. Sadly, few churches today heed Jesus’ warning or are willing to engage in church discipline for sin.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.